Two very different people who know the animals better than anyone, Ramsey and Professor Colin Simpfendorfer of James Cook University, busted popular shark myths for news.com.au.

Bodyboarder Zac Young died of blood loss after an attack off the NSW coast. Picture: SuppliedSource:NewsComAu

MYTH #1: Sharks love eating humans

'Shark whisperer' ... Ocean Ramsey. P...Source:NewsComAu

THE FACTS: Shark bites are probably more rare than you think. Millions of Australians go into the ocean every year and on average 1.2 die from a shark attack, according to figures from the Taronga Zoo Australian Shark Attack File. Meanwhile, 3.3 Australians die from snorkelling, 20 from horse riding incidents, and 1500 on the nation's roads.

Sharks haven't encountered too many humans in their 400 million years on Earth. Plus, they would much prefer the blubber of a whale or seal over human flesh, Ramsey said.

"Whales would be like chocolate cake for the starving shark," she said, while us humans aren't as tasty. "We don't really have that body composition."

Prof Simpfendorfer added: "I think it's safe to say we aren't their preferred food." Otherwise, many more of us would be victims of their sharp teeth.

MYTH #2: Sharks also love human blood

Sharks often lurk near schools of fish. Picture: SuppliedSource:NewsComAu

THE FACTS: Ocean Ramsey was bleeding during a dive in the waters of French Polynesia and she was surrounded by a school of sharks. They didn't bite her, she told news.com.au, and she wasn't afraid. "They probably thought I smelt bad or something," she said.

The bottom line is, yes: most sharks are attracted to blood, but each species is different. "It's a sign there is potentially food in the water," Prof Simpfendorfer said.

Scientists recommend beachgoers avoid swimming in areas where fishermen are chumming or cutting up fish, do not remain in the water with bleeding wounds and to leave the water if sea-life start acting erratically.

MYTH #3: Sharks are attacking more and more Australians

Ramsey on a dive in 2012. Picture: Supplied/WaterInspiredSource:NewsComAu

THE FACTS: There is a reason why we have witnessed a spate of attacks in recent times, Prof Simpfendorfer said: "The reality is that more and more people are going into the ocean.

"Not only are there more of us, but things like wetsuits are letting us be in the water for longer, and watersports are increasingly popular."

The total number of shark bites is going up, he said. However, on a per-person basis they are likely going down.

MYTH #4: Sharks are vicious and mean

THE FACTS: If sharks are similar to any land animal, it's cats. At least, according to Ramsey.

"(Like a cat), they don't really care if you're around," she explained to news.com.au. Unless you harass them or they believe you are competition for food.

Just like humans, sharks come with a wide variety of temperaments.

"I've worked with sharks for a couple of decades now and in the vast majority of situations sharks are very placid," said Prof Simpfendorfer.

"But they are wild animals and we know they are one of a small number of animals that can be very dangerous," he said. "Just because the shark was very placid and happy yesterday doesn't mean today's going to be the same."

THE FACTS: According to Western Australian premier Colin Barnett, his government's plan will mitigate some of the risk of encountering dangerous sharks.

The program uses baited drumlines to catch sharks before they come near popular beaches and surf breaks.

Captured great white, tiger and bull sharks bigger than 3m will be shot whereas other animals will be kept alive, if possible. But will it work?

"Ask different people and you'll get different answers," Pro Simpfendorfer said. "We don't have very good data. Shark control programs would tell you they do."

That's the truth. Both Queensland and NSW currently run shark control programs. NSW only use nets, whereas nets and baited drumlines are used in Queensland.

According to figures supplied to the ABC by government shark control groups, there has only been only one fatal shark attack on a controlled Queensland beach since 1962, and only one at a protected beach in NSW since 1951.

But Prof Simpfendorfer said we do not know enough. "The reality is because a shark attack is such a rare event, analysing it with any sort of rigorous, certified answer is very difficult."